Q: Is iowaska drugs?

No. Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is not a recreational drug. It is a sacred Amazonian plant medicine, prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, and held in ceremony for healing and spiritual learning. While some countries classify it under drug laws because it contains DMT, within Indigenous traditions it is treated as a teacher — a guide for responsibility, clarity, and connection with life.

Question 1

What is iowaska?

Accepted Answer

Iowaska is a common way of spelling ayahuasca, the sacred Amazonian plant medicine prepared from the vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaf Psychotria viridis. For centuries, indigenous communities in Colombia and the Amazon have used it in ceremony to open visions, release blockages, and connect with spirit. Today, people searching for “iowaska” are usually looking for the same ancient brew, known in Colombia as yagé — a guide for healing, self-discovery, and transformation.

Question 2

Is iowaska drugs?

Accepted Answer

No. Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is not a recreational drug. It is a sacred Amazonian plant medicine, prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, and held in ceremony for healing and spiritual learning. While some countries classify it under drug laws because it contains DMT, within Indigenous traditions it is treated as a teacher — a guide for responsibility, clarity, and connection with life.

Question 3

Is iowaska legal?

Accepted Answer

The legal status of iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) depends on the country. Because it contains DMT, it is restricted or illegal in many places. In Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, it is legal within Indigenous and religious traditions. In Costa Rica, ceremonies are tolerated in retreat settings. In North America and Europe, the brew is generally prohibited, with a few exceptions for recognized churches. Always check local laws before attending a retreat.

Question 4

What does it feel like?

Accepted Answer

Experiences vary. Common elements include physical cleansing (purge), emotional release, and spiritual insight. The true value comes in how you integrate the lessons afterward.

Question 5

Where to do iowaska?

Accepted Answer

Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is traditionally taken in ceremony with experienced guides in the Amazon and Andes. The most authentic places are Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, where Indigenous lineages still hold the medicine with care. Retreats also exist in Costa Rica and globally, but if you seek safety and tradition, choose centers that are transparent about their lineage, facilitators, medical screening, and integration support.

Question 6

How should I prepare?

Accepted Answer

Follow a clean diet, avoid alcohol and stimulants, rest well, and complete an honest medical screening. Enter with humility and a clear intention. Read our article about how to prepare for your yage ceremony here.

Question 7

Is iowaska the same as ayahuasca?

Accepted Answer

Yes. “Iowaska” is a common misspelling of ayahuasca, also called yagé in Colombia. They all refer to the same sacred brew.

Question 8

Why do people call it iowaska?

Accepted Answer

Because the pronunciation of “ayahuasca” in Spanish and Quechua sounds like “eye-wah-ska,” many English speakers write it phonetically as iowaska.

Question 9

Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

It can be safe when guided by experienced facilitators, with medical screening and preparation. Risks exist for people with certain conditions or on medications. Always review a retreat’s safety protocols first.

Question 10

Where can I find a safe retreat in Colombia?

Accepted Answer

Start near Medellín for easier access. Look for centers with transparent lineage, medical screening, small groups, and integration support. Camino al Sol with 15 years experience of facilitating authentic ayahuasca ceremonies in Medellín ticks all these boxes.

Question 11

Can beginners join?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when health conditions allow. Proper screening and the presence of trained facilitators are essential, especially for first-timers.

Question 12

Will it solve my problems?

Accepted Answer

No medicine can live your life for you. Iowaska can reveal truth and bring clarity, but real change depends on your responsibility and daily choices.

Question 13

What about medications?

Accepted Answer

Certain medications — especially SSRIs and blood pressure meds — can interact dangerously. Always disclose your medical history to facilitators.

Question 14

Can I buy iowaska tea online?

Accepted Answer

Some websites claim to sell it, but shipping ayahuasca is illegal in many countries and unsafe outside of ceremonial context. Authentic experiences happen only in guided retreats.

Question 15

What about iowaska retreats in Costa Rica?

Accepted Answer

Costa Rica has become known for luxury retreat centers offering ayahuasca (iowaska) ceremonies. While many are comfortable and marketed to foreigners, they are different from the traditional yagé circles of Colombia. If you seek cultural authenticity, ask carefully about lineage, facilitators, and safety protocols before choosing.

Question 16

What does iowaska do?

Accepted Answer

Iowaska works on body, heart, and mind. It can bring physical cleansing, surface emotions and memories, and open visions or spiritual insights. More than what happens in the night, its value comes afterward: integration, where lessons are lived out in daily choices. It is not a cure-all, but a teacher that shows where healing is needed.

Question 17

Did Aaron Rodgers drink iowaska?

Accepted Answer

Yes. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has publicly spoken about attending ayahuasca/iowaska ceremonies. He described the experience as transformative, helping him with self-love and clarity. His story brought mainstream attention to the medicine, though it is important to remember that Indigenous peoples have worked with yagé/ayahuasca for centuries, far beyond celebrity interest.

traditional plant medicine

Iowaska: Complete Guide to Ayahuasca (Yagé) in Colombia

Explore Yaogara

Contact info